Anyone up on their tenancy law? I need some advice please.
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Please note that this is entirely just something I googled and glanced over, but I'd have though the Landlords and Tenants Act 1985 would apply, including Section 8.2:

"The landlord, or a person authorised by him in writing, may at reasonable tinmes of the day, on giving 24 hours’ notice in writing to the tenant or occupier, enter premises to which this section applies for the purpose of viewing their state and condition."

As I say, just glancing at it so most likely of little use. No idea if that's even the current legislation, or where it covers.

ProfessorLesser wrote:
Come on, we're 26 and 28 years old, and as of two weeks, both qualified doctors. Let's not play the stereotype game.

The flat I took when I moved here was being let by 3 doctors.

There was maybe a square foot of clear floor in the entire 3 bedroom place, and ashtrays piled high. Never been hovered. It was like squatters living there. THREE DOCTORS!!. THREE!

Thankfully I could see past the mess - Because of that, I even negotiated a reduced rent, and when I moved in it was all lovely and clean, with new carpets and all - but I could see how people are put off when a place is in that condition.

Now yours doesn't sound as bad as that, but there is still a limit people will accept. If people are turning away from viewings, then something has to be wrong?

ZuluHero wrote: When you make breakfast, put the stuff away after you. Simple stuff really. I always make sure my kitchen is spotless when i go to bed, and the rest of the house has been put back into order, ready for the next day of "living".

That is so me.

Problem is the wife is the opposite. She'll use the last of the milk, and just leave the empty carton on the kitchen counter. Or she'll make toast, and leave the butter and knife on the kitchen counter. Not only that but the butter knife will be actually on the counter itself so leaving a nice smear of butter...

ZuluHero wrote: When you make breakfast, put the stuff away after you. Simple stuff really. I always make sure my kitchen is spotless when i go to bed, and the rest of the house has been put back into order, ready for the next day of "living".

That is so me.

Problem is the wife is the opposite. She'll use the last of the milk, and just leave the empty carton on the kitchen counter. Or she'll make toast, and leave the butter and knife on the kitchen counter. Not only that but the butter knife will be actually on the counter itself so leaving a nice smear of butter...

Please tell me you're not going to be a surgeon once you qualify if you can't even wash your plates up after eating?

But seriously it sounds like your estate agent is being shitty (what a surprise!) but you're not helping matters by being belligerent. Saying that viewings are spoiling your "quiet time" doesn't come across well at all, because having a few people take a five minute look at a place is hardly going to ruin a whole evening.

Most rental agreements are always skewed far in favour of the landlord over the tenant, so unless you can find something in the contract that explicitly states the agent is violating the terms you're just going to have to suck it up and run the vacuum around the place.

Good find ntg, it would be nice if that article was a bit better referenced though. I had a suspicion that the estate agent is welcome to professionally clean the property if he wishes, but not to charge us for it, as we are entitled to private use of the property during our tenancy.

Thanks for the help everyone. CAB meeting was only partially helpful - we're considering getting a solicitor's letter if the harassment continues. Otherwise they just showed us how to google (cheers) and comb our contract (nice one).

From what I can tell, the estate agent has no power whatsoever to demand a meeting with the tenants. Incidentally, it is just the estate agent we're having trouble with. He's taking all this upon himself and afaik the landlord, who is a pleasant gentleman, is more or less staying out of it. The dispute is about the estate agent's capacity to conduct viewings.

Print out the threatening email and next time they bring a viewing around you greet him warmly and say something along the lines of "Ohh so glad you are here, now these threatening emails you keep sending us claiming you are going to land us with unnecessary charges, are they something you want to discuss now or at another point?". Or even provide the viewers with a nice bundle of communications so they can decide properly if they want to deal with this company.

ScoutTech wrote:
Print out the threatening email and next time they bring a viewing around you greet him warmly and say something along the lines of "Ohh so glad you are here, now these threatening emails you keep sending us claiming you are going to land us with unnecessary charges, are they something you want to discuss now or at another point?". Or even provide the viewers with a nice bundle of communications so they can decide properly if they want to deal with this company.